What kind of grease is used for wheel bearings?
Bearing grease – This is a heavy-duty petroleum-based or synthetic grease designed to provide lubrication of high-friction surfaces. Unlike gear oil or motor oil, bearing grease remains thick and sticky at high temperatures because of its heavy viscosity, and will not run off surfaces the way thinner fluids do.
Why are front wheel drive bearing assemblies tapered?
Usually, a pair of tapered style bearing assemblies next to each other are used for front-wheel-drive hubs because vehicle weight is distributed more heavily up front, and lateral forces generated as wheels turn can be severe. In some cases, bearing assemblies for front-wheel-drive hubs are sealed units that never need lubrication.
What do you need to know about bearings and seals?
Having clean grease on hand is essential when doing any repair work involving bearings or related parts. Grease in a container that’s been left open to the air for a period of time tends to draw airborne dust and dirt like a magnet, so if you find the lid of your container was not on tight or has become compromised, your grease has too.
When to replace wheel bearings and bearing races?
If you’re planning on reusing the bearing, wiggle it for looseness and check the bearing rollers for scorching (blueness) or pitting. If you find these conditions, replace the bearings and races. Next, wiggle the bearing around and check for looseness between the rollers and cages. If excessive (you’ll recognize it), replace them.
What makes up the tapered race on wheel bearings?
Conventional wheel bearings come in two pieces: the tapered cage assembly of rollers with the inner race, and the tapered outer race that presses into the brake disc (or drum) hub. The rollers ride on the inside tapers of both races.
Bearing grease – This is a heavy-duty petroleum-based or synthetic grease designed to provide lubrication of high-friction surfaces. Unlike gear oil or motor oil, bearing grease remains thick and sticky at high temperatures because of its heavy viscosity, and will not run off surfaces the way thinner fluids do.
How does a front wheel drive bearing assembly work?
In some cases, bearing assemblies for front-wheel-drive hubs are sealed units that never need lubrication. Others are designed to be serviced and feature a replaceable grease seal that’s changed each time bearings are repacked with grease. A wheel hub bearing assembly consisting of two tapered bearings paired next to each other.
When to clean and repack tapered wheel bearings?
Good maintenance dictates that the bearings should be cleaned and repacked any time the brake disc is removed from the spindle. Conventional wheel bearings come in two pieces: the tapered cage assembly of rollers with the inner race, and the tapered outer race that presses into the brake disc (or drum) hub.